Subaru Forester test drive since 2008 SUV

The first acquaintance with the new generation Subaru Forester

The first acquaintance with the Subaru Forester third generation: it became not only richer in equipment, but also switched to a new level in the sense of cross -country ability. The second generation looked much more modern, but not appearance influenced the decision -making decision.
Modest equipment, mediocre sound insulation, not too spacious salon, discreet appearance of such a first -generation Subaru Forester, which saw the light in 1997.
The people of the model were considered an honest all -wheel drive, opposition engines, show -off frameless glasses of doors and some intra -family rally genes. However, these trump cards for verification were not the most powerful. The fact that opposition engines lower the center of gravity is not particularly noticeable on a high crossover. An honest all -wheel drive with an interdose differential was only at versions with the manual transmission. With machine guns, there was a whiskey with her inherent light inhibition. By the way, the Subarovsky term is a symmetrical all -wheel drive does not speak about the distribution of torque along the axes. We are talking about the layout of the transmission.

Nevertheless, Forester is sold well: last year 6670 copies were implemented in Russia. This is many times less than that of the market leaders, but Subaru by definition is not a massive brand.
Mechanical cruise
Modern Forester puts the predecessor on the shoulder blades with rich equipment. Immediately, the adjustment of the steering column by departure is immediately noteworthy for ordinary, non -human crossovers. This is, in addition to the traditional change in its inclination position. The hood on gas stops, the electromagnetic mechanism of opening the rear door. Disabled system of dynamic stabilization VDC. Key with remote opening, blocking doors. Auditural connectors that allow you to connect the MP3 player to onboard acoustics. By the way, there is also a video entry on versions with the monitor. On the steering wheel, starting with 2.0XS configurations were controlled by the audio system and cruise control, and the cruise control is combined with a mechanical KP.
There is in the list of options a system launch from a button, a leather interior, eight electroregulations of the driver's seat position. It goes without saying that there is both climate control, and all sorts of heating of seats, mirrors.
Has Forester become more spacious? Yes, and in all directions. With a total increase in length by 75 mm, the wheelbase increased by 90 mm. This difference of 15 mm went to reduce the rear overweight. But, most importantly, now the rear passengers are unlikely to complain that they have nowhere to put their feet.
It is pleasant that Forester escaped the tendency to reduce road clearance for crossovers. More that, in cars with 2.0-liter engines, the clearance has become more than 10 mm and is 215 mm. And in a 2.5-liter version, it is now 225 mm.
Passengers should be saved
Much attention was paid to passive safety: the zones of the predicted body deformation, the behavior of the power unit in the accident. The probability of not suffering in the accident among passengers has grown significantly. Moreover, with the most potentially dangerous lateral blows. This is not only the side pillows of the airbrush, but also the curtains for the head. By the way, the glasses of doors are now framework such safety fees.
So far without a diesel engine
Boxer Opposite four -cylinder engines were modernized to optimize the characteristics and reduce the level of harmful emissions. The power of the basic 2-liter engine is now 150 liters. s., and equipped with a 2.5-liter turbine 230 liters. With. The version of this unit without a turbine will also be available, but it was not presented at the European presentation. In addition, the company is planning a turbodiesel.
The chassis also could not do without innovations. The rear suspension is now with double transverse levers, and the front remained the same classic Mcphereson. Well, it seems, in the first approximation with the most noticeable changes, they figured out. I will not write about blue backlight, jumping when the ignition from the stop and vice versa, cup holders, boxing, boxing between seats, full -sized spare, I will not write in the trunk volume. It’s better to finally go to impressions of test trips.
SO DIFFERENT
We cannot talk about Forester as one model. Depending on the type of checkpoint, all -wheel drive transmissions are radically different. In versions with a 5-speed manual transmission, everything is still: a mechanical differential. Only the aid system was added at starting on the hill. To do this, the automation holds the brake for another second, after the leg from the pedal has already been removed. I did not like. If you want to start, the gas pedal is already pressed, but the brakes are not allowed. At first, even somehow you do not understand what is happening. In general, you need to get used to it. Although it would be better if this assistant was turned on the button. The advantage of Forester with a mechanical checkpoint reducing gear (except for versions with turbo engines). This is implemented using an additional shaft in the gearbox. True, the decrease coefficient is not so hot, which is only 1.45. And in reality, help from the lowering is felt only when touched from a place on viscous soils or when towing a heavy trailer.

There is no differential for modifications with automatic transmission. The distribution of the moment between the axes is headed by an electronically controlled clutch of all-wheel drive. Now it has become more fast due to the fact that her brains receive information from the sensors of the stabilization system. It was almost always difficult to evaluate the work of Visis-Mufts on slippery coatings on European presentations of models. But during photo shoots, it was easily and at ease to achieve beautiful wheels of wheels on complex elements of the relief. That is, the crossover crawled to where most competitors with such a transmission are helplessly. And in general, the forester is good for off -road opportunities. The clearance is very impressive, the bumpers are high, the overhangs are small.
Sad and fun
As expected, Forester with a 2-liter base engine and automatic transmission is sad. The pleasure of managing them can only receive a graduate of a driving school. A four -speed machine with a calm ride style smoothly and imperceptibly clicks the transmission. But how does it matter to the kick-dowan everything, extinguish the light. The motor yells in a bad voice, but there is no dispersal. The manual regime does not save the situation, and, by the way, there is practically no expected braking by the engine in this mode.
The same version, but with a mechanical KP is noticeably more interesting. Although, it seems to me, if the second gear in the KP was shorter, it would become more pleasant to steer along the winding paths.
The top version with a 2.5-liter turbo engine rides wonderful. There are practically no turbias, and a torque of 330 nm is oh-th. The steering of such a Forester is more clearly, since it uses a hydraulic power steering, not an electric power. But to choose it with a mechanical KP, I think, is not worth it. He does not have a reduced row, and the failed clutch well -known in the previous model of the phenomenon at the same time with the flywheel.
If you abstract from motors, then behavior on asphalt and primers for the novelty is excellent. There are practically no rolls in corners, and the suspension perfectly works out any irregularities. In general, the balance between the comfort for passengers and the drivers of the chassis is magnificent. Well, as for soundproofing, it became better with it, but not dramatically.
Finally about prices. So far, due to the instability of the main currencies, they are not finally approved, but pre-such. The basic version of 2.0x with a mechanical KP will cost 924 thousand rubles, and a top 2.5ht with automatic transmission 1,209 thousand rubles.
 
Author: Evgenia Lyubimova, photo of the author and Subaru

 

Source: Magazine 4x4 [June/2008]